Five years since Haiyan, the fundraisers in Sydney reunite

The Filipino-Australian community is organising a Thanksgiving Concert to commemorate five years since supertyphoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines.

The community’s foremost talents will headline the show, including Lillian de los Reyes, Brian Lorenz, June Young and Marcus Rivera.

The Voice Australia 2017 finalist Fasika Ayallew will make a special appearance.

Also lending their talents are the Sonata Singers, June Young, Trinity Young, Robyn Russell, Tina Bangel and the One Voice Kids, Dong Labayo, Emerson Tuazon, Jersay Delaney and new trio, Herizon.

The hosts for the three-part special program are Miss Philippines-Australia title holders Melanie Balagtas, Rica Sey and Kymberlee Street.

The concert is titled ‘Rise Up: Rebuilding Lives after Haiyan’ and will be held on Sunday, November 4 at the Diamond Showroom, Blacktown Workers Club in Sydney. Doors open 4pm and the show starts at 5pm.

Proceeds from the show, with tickets only $20, will go towards livelihood programs in Tacloban City, the city worst-hit by the disaster.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to share my gift of music in this fundraising concert. Super typhoon Haiyan was one of the most devastating storms in recent history and it was amazing to see the world come together at the time to help the survivors. Five years on, the theme ‘Rise Up’ is a fitting way to honour everyone who was instrumental in the recovery programs,” said Lillian de los Reyes, one of the main stars of the concert.

Super Typhoon Yolanda is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,300 people and causing damage worth US$4.55 billion. It made its first landfall on November 7 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar before sweeping through most of Leyte and Samar.

The international response was swift and generous. The Australian government alone donated US$70 million in humanitarian aid and supplies. Various individuals and organisations in Sydney also raised tens of thousands of dollars to help survivors. In total, Australia was third only to the U.K. ($131 million) and the US ($86.7 million) in providing disaster relief.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and at the Box Office of Blacktown Workers Club.